Marsy’s Law for Tennessee Lighting the State Purple in Honor of Crime Victims

April 15, 2020 – Marsy’s Law for Tennessee is lighting the state purple in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), Sunday, April 18 through 24.

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for Marsy’s Law for Tennessee. A recent TBI report shows the violent crime rate soared in Memphis in 2020 compared to 2019 – up nearly 25 percent. Knoxville Police reported a 40 percent increase in shootings resulting in injury in 2020. And in Chattanooga, police said there has been a sharp increase in gun violence. 

Marsy’s Law for Tennessee is a constitutional amendment making its way through the legislature to strengthen the rights of crime victims in Tennessee’s state constitution.

Every night next week, several landmarks across the state will be glowing in purple lights as a reminder that crime victims should be entitled to equal rights and protections under the law, including:

• Nashville/Davidson Metropolitan Courthouse (4/18)
• Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge, Nashville  (4/18)
• Bi-Centennial Mall Amphitheater and Bell Tower,  Nashville (4/18 -19)
• Tennessee State Capitol Cupola, Nashville (4/19 - 4/21)
• Westin Hotel, Nashville (4/18 - 4/24)
• Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, Memphis (4/19)
• Convention Center Pedestrian Bridge over Henley Street, Knoxville (4/19 - 4/22)
• Cumberland County Courthouse, Crossville (4/19 - 4/24)
• Eiffel Tower, Paris (4/19 - 4/21)

DOWNLOAD VIDEO/PHOTOS of Tennessee Landmarks in Purple for NCVRW 2020

To commemorate the week, Marsy’s Law for Tennessee is also asking everyone to take a selfie wearing purple, to share why they support crime victims’ rights and Marsy’s Law for Tennessee on social media, and to tag #MarsysLawforTN.

Adopting Marsy’s Law in Tennessee will provide victims with the ability to assert the critical rights to which they are promised including:

• The right to be treated with fairness for the victim's safety, dignity, and privacy;
• The right, upon request, to reasonable and timely notice of, and to be present at, all criminal public proceedings and all juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
• The right to be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, and parole, as well as any public proceeding during which a right of the victim is implicated;
• The right to be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse throughout the criminal justice system, including reasonable protection from the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused; 
• The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of any release or escape of an accused; 
• The right to refuse a request by the defendant, the defendant's attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant for an interview, deposition, discovery request, or other communication with the victim;
• The right to full and timely restitution from the offender;
• The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence;
• The right, upon request, to confer with the prosecution; 
• The right to be fully informed of all rights afforded to crime victims. 

For more information, visit marsyslawfortn.com.